50 years after his government ended a brutal civil war with the Igbo, ex-Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon has come out to say that the Igbo nation has been marginalized in Nigeria’s polity.

Yakubu, who spoke at a public event organized by Igbo Leadership Development Foundation, wants the right measures to be taken to relieve the Igbos of their political pains.

According to him, Nigeria has what it takes to cater adequately for its citizens irrespective of tribe or creed.

He added that Nigeria has to create a federal democracy that will respond positively to all the aspirations of the people.

His words, “I believe that a lot of injustice has been done to the Igbo and a constitutional debate on restructuring must address all imbalances and restore hope and confidence.

“Nigeria is big enough for all of us and I believe that the Igbo, Middle Belt and the Yoruba are the true Nigerians because if you look round our borders, people came from abroad and are still coming but Ndigbo have always been there, Middle Belt people have always been there, even Yoruba have always been there.

“People who came in yesterday who have a duty of respect are now the ones talking. Going forward, we must create a federal democracy that will respond positively to all the aspirations of our people, not about East-West but all about working together in equality, bringing in the youths and the women to build a new Nigeria.”

”I am not a friend of hate speech and bitterness but a friend of patriotism because Nigeria is dear to my heart and I believe in bright future of Nigeria and Ndigbo and that together, we can make our country great.”